Bigger and Better

Good things come in small packages.

But if you want to make something truly great, you may just need a bigger box.

Like, perhaps, a 284’ long x 126’ wide x 30’ deep “box.”

The kids and I could've hung out in this room all day. 

That's the size of the 6,300,000-gallon whale shark tank in Atlanta.

By itself, "Ocean Voyager" at the (great) Georgia Aquarium swallows Coney Island’s (good) New York Aquarium whole.

Then add all the other exhibits, like the beluga whales…

These beluga whales are so carefree because their eggs are not the ones you're eating.
That's beluga sturgeon caviar.

The penguins…

Livvie was thrilled to see a penguin poop. This guy is trying to pretend it didn't happen.

The tropical reef…

With all the fish and sharks on the reef...

Livvie only had eyes for "Dory."

The touch pool...

Every time she touched a ray, Livvie looked half-amazed and half-disgusted.

And New York is blown out of the water.

Honestly, how do you compete with a back-flipping manta ray?

Or divers who knock on the glass and compliment your four-year old's fashion sense?

Or the giant grouper who is perhaps the only thing on Earth able to win a staring contest with my daughter?

The New York Aquarium held Olivia's interest for about an hour, which is truly wonderful for a preschooler.

But the Georgia Aquarium got this kid to sit down and just watch.

Sat still longer than he does for "Dora." Unheard of!

In Coney Island's favor, though:

Braving the cold water at Coney Island. September 2009.

Sure can't do that in Atlanta's Centennial Park.